Deliensite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms thin, platy, pearly yellow crystals in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits. It is primarily known for its association with other secondary uranyl minerals found at the Shinkolobwe mine.
Is this deliensite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch deliensite with a known reference. Deliensite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Deliensite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Deliensite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Deliensite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Deliensite leaves white, Uranopilite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Deliensite and silky on Uranopilite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Deliensite leaves white, Zippeite leaves yellow.
Often found alongside deliensite
Minerals reported to co-occur with deliensite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe(UO₂)₂(SO₄)₂(OH)₂·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find deliensite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mas D'Alary, Lodeve, Herault, France
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium-rich hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where deliensite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, masuyite, soddyite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify deliensite?+
Where is deliensite found?+
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Find deliensite on the map
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